YouTube introduces new ‘cleaner and simpler’ homepage design

It’s been a busy week news-wise for YouTube. First there was the rollout of a new app for iPad users as well as an updated one for the iPhone 5, then came an announcement that the Google-owned company had struck a deal with Virgin America to bring a selection of its original programming to the airline’s in-flight entertainment service, and now we hear it’s just launched a new-look website. Good job the weekend’s just around the corner, the hard-working folk there will be needing a lie down.

In an effort to get you to watch more videos, subscribe to more channels and generally hang around on the site for longer (and perhaps click on a few ads while you’re there), the video-sharing site has revamped its website, offering up a look they hope users will find “cleaner and simpler.” The new design was being rolled out through Thursday night, so by the time you read this, it should be up and running.

“You come to YouTube to watch the videos you care about, so it’s important that the videos stand out,” the video site said in a blog post detailing the changes. “In this new layout, you’ll find the most crucial elements are front and center when you watch a video.” So now you’ll find the video you want to watch situated at the very top of the screen, while the subscribe button, social actions and video information will sit together directly underneath the player.

The Guide – a feature introduced to the website last year that acts as a kind of subscription manager, alerting users to new videos and suggesting new channels they might like – is also being brought to other platforms, including Android, iOS, Playstation 3 and Google TV, in an effort to further streamline users’ YouTube experience.

In a post over on the YouTube Creators blog, geared specifically towards YouTube creators and partners, the video site promised the new-look site will help content creators “build a bigger, more connected audience by improving new channel discovery, simplifying subscriptions, and keeping your fans plugged in and aware of your new videos no matter where they are.”

Once you’ve had a chance to get a feel of the revamped layout, let us know what you think in the comments below.